Understanding Pet Anxiety: Tips for a Stress-Free New Year
Our pets can experience a wide range of emotions, and we don’t always know what’s going on inside their minds. Sure, we can easily identify happiness or contentment, fear or aggression. But the signs of pet anxiety can be confusing. If we work on recognizing possible triggers of pet anxiety, we can greatly reduce symptoms and promote overall well-being.
What Causes Pet Anxiety
Anxiety in pets can be characterized by an unease with surroundings or stimuli, apprehension regarding certain people, places, sensations, or experiences, generalized nervousness, or fear of a threat. Anxious feelings can serve a purpose and are often temporary; however, if symptoms persist without intervention, pet anxiety can lead to many different behavioral issues.
Anxiety Origins and Connections
Pet anxiety may not necessarily be related to a single cause. It can be rooted in various triggers or events. The most common explanations for pet anxiety include:
- Separation anxiety occurs when a pet intensely fears being left alone or becoming separated from their people.
- Noise anxiety can be linked to specific aural stimuli, like fireworks or thunder. Stress, fear, and anxiety can also be caused by the vacuum cleaner, delivery trucks, or power tools.
- Social anxiety occurs when pets find themselves in certain places they don’t understand or particularly enjoy. They may also react strongly to other pets or people.
- Age-related anxiety stems from cognitive dysfunction in senior pets. Hearing and/or vision loss can contribute to fear and confusion.
What Are the Signs?
Any changes to a pet’s behavior or appearance warrant a closer look. The following signature traits of pet anxiety should be seen to:
- Hiding or increased sleeping
- Decreased appetite
- Panting or drooling for no discernible reason
- Pacing, licking or other obsessive behaviors
- Tucked tail
- Pinned-back ears
- Sudden accidents inside the home
- Destructive activities like chewing or shredding
- Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities
- Digestion problems
See the Source, Provide a Solution
It can be very challenging to watch a pet suffering from stress and anxiety. The best place to start is by trying to identify possible triggers. Notice when symptoms arise and take stock of what’s going on around them. It could be as simple as adding white noise or blinds to a room to reduce their exposure to troubling stimuli.
Helpful Strategies
We encourage all pet owners to consider how they can limit feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety:
- Establish and maintain a daily routine to increase feelings of safety and security.
- Add environmental enrichment activities for your pet to dispel any stress at being alone.
- Increase physical exercise.
- Attempt to desensitize your pet by playing recordings of the sounds that trigger your pet’s anxiety.
A veterinary behaviorist can help you get to the bottom of pet anxiety and offer training tips to reduce problematic behaviors. There are also effective prescription medications that can help calm a pet down and provide owners with some options.
If we can assist you further with pet anxiety, please give us a call at (757) 956-1110. Vital Vet Animal Hospital is always here to help your pet.